A double killer serving a life sentence for the 'gruesome' murder of Philip Finnegan has argued that his conviction should be quashed, as he was denied an adjournment to get a new legal team after discharging his original barristers for refusing to call certain witnesses. Stephen Penrose (43) told the Court of Appeal that the gardaí fabricated the case to make it fit him. He submitted a number of grounds of appeal, including allegations of perjury against a garda witness and bias from the trial judge. Barristers for the State said that Penrose was the 'author of his own misfortune' after he twice dismissed his legal team to represent himself at trial. Penrose was found guilty by a unanimous jury verdict in November 2021 of murdering Mr Finnegan at Rahin Woods, Rahin, Edenderry, Co Kildare on August 10, 2016. He had pleaded not guilty to the charge.
A fraudster, Myles Connors, conned an elderly woman out of over €50,000 for substandard garden work, including €5,000 for power washing, according to the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. Connors charged the 82-year-old woman €48,000 for slabbing, weed removal, and cementing part of her back garden, with materials costing less than €3,000. Gardai assessed the work and found it should have cost no more than €20,000. The woman, who lives alone and has mobility issues, was left with uneven and unsecured slabs. Connors, who pleaded guilty to two counts of deception, had previously purchased the slabs for €1,200 and used them in the woman's garden. He also purchased a vehicle with a €1,000 deposit and later asked the woman to write a €35,000 cheque. The woman later complained about the work and was left feeling unsafe and vulnerable in her home. Connors was arrested and has one previous conviction for criminal damage.
A now 75-year-old Limerick man, Tom White, repeatedly groped and sexually abused a young girl when they were neighbours more than 50 years ago, the Central Criminal Court has heard. White had regular access to the girl's house and repeatedly touched her inappropriately and subjected her to lewd commentary and physical abuse, his sentence hearing was told today. White went on to marry, had three children, and never came to garda attention in the intervening 50 years, his sentence hearing was told. His victim wishes for White to be named but wants to maintain her anonymity, Ms Justice Eileen Creedon was told. White, of Brookhaven, Montpelier, Co Limerick, was found guilty by a jury of 10 counts of indecent assault of the girl at her home and his home in Limerick on dates between August 1971 and August 1976 following a trial earlier this year. He was acquitted of a number of other counts on the indictment. The complainant was aged between 13 and 16 at the time of the offence, while White was in his 20s.
Lisa Temple, 56, was given a one-year suspended sentence in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court for assaulting two security officials during a home repossession. She refused to enter a good behaviour bond, leading Judge Martin Nolan to order her into custody, stating no one is above the law. Temple, who represented herself during the trial, was convicted of assault and possession of a taser. Her legal team argued the case was emotionally charged and a long-standing property dispute. During the sentencing, Temple protested and was taken into custody. The incident occurred in March 2022, where she punched one official and used a taser on another. Neither official required medical attention. Judge Nolan noted her behaviour was disgraceful but did not believe she deserved a custodial sentence. He allowed her legal team to reapply for a bond if she changed her mind.
A 60-year-old Dublin man was given a suspended three-year sentence for harassing a vulnerable woman who had recently ended an abusive marriage, during which she was repeatedly raped. The woman described the man's behaviour as persistent, threatening, and frightening, and stated she was in a very vulnerable position. The man, who pleaded guilty, was sentenced by Ms Justice Eileen Creedon, who considered mitigating factors such as his guilty plea and lack of reoffending. The woman detailed how the man followed her to various places, including her children's schools and local shops, and even threatened suicide. She expressed that the man's actions made her feel unsafe and caused her significant emotional distress. The man's defence argued he was acting out of character and was going through a difficult period. The court acknowledged the woman's victim impact statement, highlighting the lasting effects of the harassment on her mental health and daily life.
A young man who killed a pensioner with an MMA-style kick which caused him to fall to the ground and suffer a fatal head injury, has been remanded in custody ahead of sentencing next month. Joshua Rush (25) pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to the manslaughter of Charles McCaughley (69) at Fairview Strand, Fairview, Dublin 3 on June 7, 2021. Shortly before the incident, Mr McCaughley ordered fish and chips from a takeaway where staff said he "was in good form", Detective Sergeant David Ennis previously told Diana Stuart SC, prosecuting. Another witness waiting for a bus told gardai that he saw three youths passing an older man as he walked along Fairview Strand. He said he saw one of the young men – Rush – employ a "back spin kick, like MMA" on the older man, causing him to fall on his back. The trio left the scene and were seen entering accommodation nearby. When the witness ran to his assistance, Mr McCaughley was unconscious and there was blood coming from his mouth.
Christina Hayes, 36, praised Detective Garda Maria Flynn for her dedication in pursuing justice for the sexual abuse she suffered as a child at the hands of her stepfather, Tommy Barry. Barry was jailed for 12 and a half years after being convicted of sexual assault and rape of the child between 1996 and 1998. Hayes waived her right to anonymity to allow Barry to be named. She detailed the long-term effects of the abuse on her mental health, relationships, and self-worth. Detective Flynn worked on the case for over 25 years, including after Barry escaped from prison in 1999 and lived in the UK under different aliases. Hayes expressed gratitude to her teacher, who first reported the abuse, and to Detective Flynn for her persistence. Barry, who denied the charges, had a history of convictions in Ireland, Scotland, and England. Ms Justice Karen O'Connor acknowledged the courage Hayes showed and the efforts of Detective Flynn in bringing Barry to justice. Hayes emphasized her determination to protect her daughter and ensure she grows up safe and valued.
A 44-year-old man from Clontarf, Dublin appeared before the High Court in connection with extradition proceedings relating to a 2020 murder in Belfast. Jonathan Gill is wanted by the Police Service of Northern Ireland to face prosecution on a joint enterprise basis for the death of Robbie Lawlor, who was shot in the front garden of a house on Etna Drive on April 4, 2020. Mr Gill is also charged with possession of a 9mm self-loading pistol with intent to endanger life between April 2 and 5 that year. The PSNI believes the killing was connected to an ongoing drugs feud involving criminal elements across Dublin, Sligo and Drogheda. During the hearing before Mr Justice Paul Burns, the court was told that Mr Gill's solicitor, based in Belfast, was unable to attend. The judge agreed to adjourn the matter and set April 24 as the date when an extradition hearing date will be fixed. Mr Gill remains in custody pending that hearing.
The Special Criminal Court is seeking a comprehensive probation report to address the radicalisation of a self-described jihadist who was inspired by terrorist organisation Isis when he set fire to a pub owned by Conor McGregor and later stabbed a garda on a Dublin street while shouting Allahu Akbar'. Ms Justice Karen O'Connor, presiding at the three-judge court, was expected to deliver a sentence today for 24-year-old Abdullah Khan. However, Ms Justice O'Connor said Khan will require "significant post-release supervision" and therefore the court wished to have the assistance of a probation report. She said the court is requesting a structured report from the probation service that will address Khan's radicalisation. To assist the service, Ms Justice O'Connor ordered that they be furnished with an expert report drawn up as part of the prosecution case. Ms Justice O'Connor adjourned the matter to July 13 for an update. Khan remains in custody. Khan, with an address in Dublin that cannot be published due to a court order, previously pleaded guilty to eight charges.
In a Court of Appeal hearing on 17 April 2026, the prison term for 29‑year‑old Martin Gooney was increased from three years and two months to four and a half years after the State successfully appealed. Gooney had pleaded guilty in February 2025 to coercive control and sexual assault, and was originally sentenced by Ms Justice Caroline Biggs at the Central Criminal Court on 3 June 2025. The appeal focused on the severity of his conduct, which included hiding in the victim's shed to spy on her, threatening to hang her pet dog, and sending messages to her family purporting to be from her that expressed suicidal ideation. The Court of Appeal judge, Ms Justice Isobel Kennedy, described the offences as "grave" and "extremely manipulative", noting that Gooney had a history of nine prior convictions, including assault and threats of serious harm.
Veteran comedian Sil Fox, 94, failed in his attempt to have a jury hear his High Court claim for damages against the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), An Garda Síochána, and other state bodies. Fox, who was cleared of a sexual assault charge in 2020 due to inconsistencies in the complainant's evidence and CCTV footage, claims the prosecution destroyed his reputation and caused him emotional distress. His legal team argued that the DPP was guilty of a dereliction of duty and that the case should be heard by a jury due to its impact on public reputation. However, High Court judge Mr Justice Oisín Quinn ruled that the case was not suitable for a jury, citing the legal architecture of the case and the complexity of the issues involved. Fox's case will now be heard before a High Court judge only. The DPP's legal team argued that the prosecution was based on reasonable grounds, including the complainant's witness statement and CCTV footage. The judge concluded that the case was not appropriate for a jury and refused the application.
A 34-year-old security guard pleaded guilty at Tallaght District Court to sexually assaulting a cleaner at the Irish head office of a multinational company on 22 August 2023. The defendant, who resides in Dublin 8 and cannot be named to protect the victim's identity, admitted to the charges. Garda Andrew Crowley told Judge Aine Clancy that the accused approached the victim while she looked out a window, placed his hands on her hips, and ground against her from behind. He subsequently followed her into a kitchen area where he stroked her inner thigh. A third incident occurred later that day when the defendant followed the victim into a lift, remaining inside after she exited to dispose of rubbish in the basement. Defence counsel Ethan Foley BL stated the defendant accepted there was no excuse for his conduct, described him as highly apologetic, and suggested restorative justice. Judge Clancy rejected this proposal, noting it could be traumatic for the injured party. She characterized the three separate incidents as towards the upper end of seriousness. The matter was adjourned to 10 July for sentencing, with the judge ordering a probation report to be prepared in the interim.
A County Donegal hair salon supplier has been ordered to pay €106,000 to a former salesman following a Workplace Relations Commission ruling that found age and disability discrimination. Damien O'Doherty, who had worked for FM Salon Supplies Ltd for 22 years, was awarded €53,000 for each of two separate breaches of the Employment Equality Act 1998. The adjudication officer found that the company's refusal to comply with an earlier order for unpaid wages constituted a discriminatory act. The dispute arose in 2023 when Mr O'Doherty discovered a younger colleague received a more favourable commission package. After disclosing a mental health disability to his employer in an attempt to resolve the matter, he was subjected to abusive language and derogatory remarks about his condition. The respondent company presented no direct evidence to rebut the discrimination allegations. The tribunal determined that the employer's conduct caused significant deterioration in Mr O'Doherty's mental health.
An unnamed 30-year-old man was sentenced at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court after pleading guilty to making a threat to kill or cause serious harm in April 2025. The defendant, whose identity is protected to preserve the anonymity of the children involved, admitted to the charge following an incident where a dispute between two six-year-old girls escalated. Prosecution evidence, including door camera footage, alleged the man threatened to set a neighbour's house on fire and encouraged his daughter to stab the other child with scissors. The court heard the man had prior convictions for assault, theft, and road traffic offences, though he has not been in trouble with gardaí since this incident. Defence counsel David Fleming BL described the man's reaction as disproportionate and noted his client's remorse, anger management attendance, and voluntary work. Judge Orla Crowe remarked that the offence should not have taken place and that the reaction was completely disproportionate. She imposed a sentence of 18 months, which was suspended in full for two years. Strict conditions were applied, requiring the man to stay away from the injured party and their family. Additionally, the judge ordered that €1,000, brought to court as a token of remorse, be paid over to the injured party.
A 67-year-old man who repeatedly raped his daughter over nearly a decade has argued that his legal team was caught off guard by the victim's testimony about wiping semen from her leg with a teddy bear. The man's legal team told the Court of Appeal that this 'stark' evidence was not disclosed to the defence, and that the judge was wrong not to discharge the jury and select new jurors. The man, who cannot be named, was convicted in 2023 of 71 counts of rape, oral rape, indecent assault, and sexual assault. He was sentenced to 11 years in prison in 2024. The abuse reportedly began on the day of the girl's first Holy Communion in 1988 and continued until 1997. The complainant said the abuse started with inappropriate touching and escalated to full sexual intercourse when she was between 14 and 17. The man's senior counsel argued that the judge should have discharged the jury after the victim's testimony about the teddy bear, which had not been disclosed to the defence. The unnamed 67-year-old pleaded not guilty.
Harry Bamidele, 21, was sentenced in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court for assault causing harm to two women. He pleaded guilty to assaulting the first victim at her home in Dublin on September 19, 2024, and the second victim at her home in the city on October 6, 2025. The court heard that Bamidele, who was on bail for the first offence, allegedly used an iron to strike the first woman over the head approximately 20 times. Regarding the second incident, the court heard that he allegedly strangled his pregnant partner for two to three minutes after breaking into her bathroom. Defence counsel David Fleming BL highlighted Bamidele's childhood trauma and psychological vulnerability, noting that violence had become normalised in his psychology. Judge Elma Sheahan described the offending as horrendous but considered his background. She imposed a total sentence of seven years and eight months, suspending the final 20 months on the condition that he come under the supervision of the Probation Services. Bamidele has 14 previous convictions. The matter was finalised with this sentence.
In a High Court sentencing hearing, Justice Karen O'Connor imposed a seven‑year prison term on a man convicted of raping a woman in Dublin on 18 December 2021. The judge described the victim's 999 call as "chilling" and noted the man's claim that the sexual act was consensual and his lack of remorse. The victim, who was intoxicated but not drunk, was assaulted while sleeping after a party and later reported the rape to Gardaí. She suffered physical injuries and long‑term psychological effects, including depression, nightmares and difficulty trusting others. The judge thanked her for her dignity during the trial and wished her and her family well. The defendant, a West African refugee, had been granted status in the UK and had been in gainful employment. The sentencing was back‑dated to the man's March 2023 custody entry. The judge's remarks highlighted the victim's vulnerability and the defendant's disrespectful conduct.
Obaseki Gerald, 23, of Mulhuddart, Co Dublin, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to transferring, handling, or using property that was the proceeds of criminal conduct. The court heard that in September 2023, an elderly woman was defrauded of €4,212 in a smishing scam where she was tricked into believing she was paying her daughter. Gerald allowed his Revolut account to be used to receive €3,212, which was converted to cryptocurrency and withdrawn within minutes. A co-accused, who was 16 at the time, received a juvenile caution for the remaining €1,000. Defence counsel Jennifer Jackson BL stated Gerald has limited income and only €500 available, requesting three months to save for reimbursement. Judge Jonathan Dunphy criticized the lack of funds, describing the situation as "bordering on ridiculous" and warning that failure to reimburse could result in custody. The judge was not satisfied with a partial reimbursement and remanded Gerald on bail to allow him to work and save. The matter was adjourned to a date in May, with the judge stating he would finalise the sentence then, contingent on Gerald bringing the full amount to court.
A 39-year-old man has been jailed for 12 months and placed on the Sex Offenders' Register for one week post-release for raping his cousin when they were both children. He pleaded guilty to one count of anal rape and one of oral rape, which occurred between 2000 and 2002 when he was aged between 13 and 15 and his cousin was between eight and ten years old. The court heard that the abuse took place in the defendant's bedroom, where the younger boy was manipulated into participating in the acts. The judge noted the significant age gap and the breach of trust, which were aggravating factors. She imposed a headline sentence of seven years for an adult, reduced it by half to reflect the defendant's age at the time, and suspended the final 12 months. The victim, who did not identify the abuser publicly, described the long-lasting emotional trauma and the impact on his family.
A worker at a primary school in Dublin was told not to discuss an oven fire that led to the evacuation of hundreds of pupils, a tribunal heard. The incident occurred in 2024 when the fire alarm was triggered by newly-installed ovens, prompting the school to be evacuated twice in one week. The worker, Ashley Staunton, reported the fire to the principal and vice-principal, but was later told by the regional manager not to discuss the incident. The company, The Lunch Bag Ltd, argued that the principals did not want the fire to deter parents from using the hot meals service. Staunton, who has claustrophobia, was reassigned to a smaller space, which she found distressing. She was eventually dismissed, and her legal team argued that her condition was exacerbated by the lack of fire safety training. The tribunal heard that the fire was caused by incorrect loading of the oven, but no performance issues were documented against Staunton.
Jozef Puska's appeal against his conviction for the murder of Ashling Murphy has been adjourned after he changed legal representation less than a week before the scheduled hearing. Puska, who pleaded not guilty to murdering Ms Murphy at Cappincur, Tullamore, on January 12, 2022, was convicted and is serving a life sentence. His counsel informed the Court of Appeal that Puska instructed his solicitor to engage new senior counsel, necessitating a withdrawal from the case. The DPP's counsel expressed concern over the delay, noting the family's anxiety to proceed. Ms Justice Kennedy vacated the April 23 hearing date and listed the matter for April 24 to determine the earliest possible future date. Separately, in June 2025, Puska's brothers Marek and Lubomir were convicted of withholding information and sentenced to 30 months each. Their wives, Viera Gaziova and Jozefina, were sentenced to 24 and 21 months respectively for burning evidence. Puska's partner, Lucia Istokova, pleaded guilty to withholding information and received a 20-month sentence. All five individuals were living with Puska at the time of the 2022 offences.
A man has been jailed for two years for beating, slapping, and choking his former partner during the covid lockdowns. Toyatma Fedee, 40, pleaded guilty to two counts of assault causing harm, which occurred in March and July 2020. The court heard that the woman feared for her life during the attacks, and that Fedee had a history of possessive behavior. The judge noted that the second incident, which occurred after the couple had reconciled, was particularly concerning and warranted a custodial sentence. Fedee, who has since married and taken steps to address his aggression, expressed remorse and apologized. The victim described the emotional trauma she suffered, including night terrors, hypervigilance, and PTSD. She stated that she no longer feels safe and has struggled to rebuild her life. Fedee's defence argued that the assaults were isolated incidents and that he had made efforts to change his behavior, including attending counseling and anger management courses. The judge acknowledged these efforts but emphasized the need for a custodial sentence to address the severity of the crimes.
An 81-year-old huntsman, Maurice Mahon, was convicted of recklessly discharging a firearm and assaulting a man in his back garden during a deer cull. The victim, Innokenti Belaga, was meditating when a bullet from Mahon's rifle shattered his femur, leaving him with severe physical and psychological injuries. Mahon, a licensed gun holder and karate grandmaster, claimed he thought he was shooting a fox or a dog. The victim's life was drastically altered, with him losing his home, his ability to work, and his ability to engage in physical activities. He described the incident as a life-changing event, with the biggest impact being on his young daughter, who lost her father's presence. Mahon was found guilty after a trial and is awaiting sentencing. His defense highlighted his long-standing involvement in hunting and his good character, but the court heard that the victim's injuries were severe and life-altering. The case has also led to civil proceedings, and the court ordered a Probation Service assessment before finalizing the sentence. Maurice Mahon pleaded not guilty.
Four trainee gardaí have been granted permission to challenge their dismissals following an incident at the Garda College in Templemore, where they were accused of handcuffing a fellow student. The trainees, Rory Callaghan, David Hanley, Alan Kenny, and Darragh O'Connell, claim the incident was consensual and part of a light-hearted exercise. They argue that they were not given proper notice of the disciplinary meeting and were not afforded the right to cross-examine their accuser or challenge the decision to suspend their training. The trainees claim that the Garda Commissioner acted unlawfully by failing to apply fair procedures and that the decision to terminate their contracts was based on inadequate consideration of their training history and positive attributes. The High Court granted leave for judicial review, and the matter has been adjourned to May for further proceedings. The trainees deny allegations of inappropriate force and resistance from the handcuffed student, emphasizing that the exercise was consensual and part of a training scenario.
Cheryl Robinson, a 49-year-old accountant from Rathdrum, Co Wicklow, has been jailed for two and a half years for stealing nearly €30,000 from Foxrock Golf Club between October 2018 and July 2020. She pleaded guilty to ten charges of theft at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. Robinson has a prior conviction for similar offenses, having stolen €125,000 from a former employer in 2010 and serving two years in prison. Judge Orla Crowe noted that the theft was an unsophisticated series of actions, with Robinson routinely transferring money to pay bills. She acknowledged Robinson's difficult personal circumstances, including mental health issues, and suspended 18 months of the sentence on the condition that she engage with the Probation Service. Gardaí discovered the theft during a forensic investigation into the club's accounts, revealing that Robinson had redirected payments to her own account. Robinson's defense highlighted her role as the sole carer for her three children and her lack of financial support from her former husband.
A man who repeatedly told gardaí to "f*** off" and claimed he was homeless and could do what he wanted has been granted the benefit of the Probation Act. Owan Tabi (44), of no fixed abode, was before Tallaght District Court on charges of using threatening, abusive or insulting behaviour and failing to comply with a garda direction at Nutgrove Office Park, Rathfarnham, Dublin 14, on August 20, 2025. Garda Brian Fogarty stated that gardaí were called after a man was reported being verbally abusive towards a member of staff. Upon arrival, gardaí heard the accused using abusive language and repeatedly telling them to "f*** off". The accused claimed he was homeless and could do what he wanted. Garda Fogarty said he directed the accused to leave the area, but he refused and continued using abusive language. The accused said he suffered from depression and anxiety and had wanted to be left alone. He claimed he approached the garda patrol car to make a complaint and was not abusive to gardaí. Owan Tabi pleaded not guilty.
The head of the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC), Audrey Cahill, has denied in the strongest terms that she made remarks suggesting that two civil servants who campaigned for a pay increase would never get an interview while she was in charge, a witness has told a tribunal. The claimant, WRC adjudication officer Séamus Clinton, is pursuing complaints under several employment equality laws, alleging discrimination, victimisation, and penalisation. A central issue in the case is that Mr Clinton was not shortlisted for a regional manager position in the WRC's mediation division, despite applying. Ms Cahill chaired the interview panel that rejected his application. A data disclosure revealed that five men and five women applied, but only one man and three women were ultimately appointed. The tribunal heard that a colleague allegedly overheard Ms Cahill saying that neither Mr Clinton nor another adjudication officer would ever get another interview or job in the WRC while she was director-general. However, Ms Cahill denies making such remarks.
Aaron Brady, 31, of Killeshandra, Co Cavan, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to sexually assaulting a Ryanair cabin crew member on an inbound flight to Dublin Airport. The matter is currently at the charge or pretrial stage. Judge Jonathan Dunphy adjourned the case to June for finalisation to allow Brady to address the victim's expenses outlined in her impact statement. The court directed that €5,000, offered by Brady as a gesture of remorse, be paid within 24 hours for onward transmission to the woman. Judge Dunphy remanded Brady on continuing bail so he could continue working, noting the court's concern regarding the victim's financial losses, which exceeded €3,000 due to sick leave and her subsequent resignation. Brady admitted to consuming significant amounts of alcohol before and during the flight and stated he has no memory of the incident. He has one previous conviction for failing to report a hit and run. The victim described the assault as shattering her sense of safety, leading to her resignation from the job she loved. Brady's defense counsel highlighted his early guilty plea, good work record, and willingness to repay further expenses if given more time. The judge expressed a desire to finalise the case in a manner that allows everyone to move on.
A former paramedic with the National Ambulance Service (NAS) has alleged that she was victimised and forced to resign after making a complaint that she was groped by a male colleague. Rebecca Rigney claims that a supervisor told her not to report the incident, warning that it would ruin her career. When she did make a formal complaint, she says she was harassed and that a witness she intended to call was approached by the accused to request a character reference. She was denied access to witness statements and important documents, and after two-and-a-half years without resolution, she felt compelled to resign. The HSE denies the claims, stating that Ms Rigney has not provided a prima facie case for her employer to answer. They acknowledged delays due to the pandemic but denied any discrimination or victimisation. An internal investigation rejected her groping allegation three years after her initial complaint and six months after her resignation. The supervisor she accused denied any such conversation took place.
Three men serving life sentences for murders committed as teenagers have sought an extension of time to appeal their sentences, arguing that the law is inconsistent and unfair. The men, who were 17 when they committed the murders, were sentenced to life in prison but the 2024 amendment to the Criminal Justice Act removed the mandatory life sentence for those under 18. The applicants claim that the law's reliance on the date of sentencing is arbitrary and that they were denied the opportunity to appeal the mandatory life sentence. Counsel for the men argued that the law should allow for appeals based on the exceptional circumstances of each case, rather than the date of sentencing. The State's representatives countered that the men's appeals had been dismissed and that the judgments had become final. The court reserved judgment on the application for an extension of time, with the judge noting that the case would be considered in the interest of justice. The unnamed 25-year-old pleaded not guilty.
A veteran HR manager at a Galway hotel has won €63,000 in compensation for unfair dismissal following a 'poorly judged' remark about a colleague's divorce. John Gannon, who had worked at the Imperial Hotel for over three decades, was sacked in November 2023 after a disciplinary meeting. The Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) found that while Gannon made an inappropriate comment about deputy general manager Donnacha Roche's divorce, the hotel failed to follow fair procedures. Multiple witnesses testified about the incident, which occurred in the hotel's lobby in October 2023. Gannon denied making the remark and claimed he was not given proper opportunity to respond before being dismissed. The WRC adjudicator, Louise Boyle, ruled that Gannon was 10% responsible for the dismissal but emphasized the hotel's failure to apply fair procedures. The hotel's CEO, Gabriel Reynolds, was criticized for not confirming the reasons for the dismissal.
A 39-year-old man from Mullingar, Gary O'Shaughnessy, was found not guilty of attempted murder by reason of insanity after attacking his partially blind brother with a hammer and knife. The jury reached a unanimous verdict within 32 minutes, noting that O'Shaughnessy suffered from schizophrenia and was under the influence of delusional beliefs that he and his brother were cursed. The defense argued that O'Shaughnessy's mental illness rendered him incapable of understanding the nature of his actions. Psychiatrists testified that he believed the only way to avert a post-apocalyptic curse was to kill his brother. The court accepted that O'Shaughnessy had not been drinking on the day of the attack and that his mental disorder prevented him from knowing the wrongfulness of his actions. Judge Tony Hunt commended the jury for their prompt decision and ordered O'Shaughnessy's commitment to the Central Mental Hospital for psychiatric assessment. The victim, Mark O'Shaughnessy, was found in a critical condition with severe injuries, and the case was described as a "terrible shroud of sadness" by the defense. Gary O'Shaughnessy was found not guilty by reason of insanity.
A man in his 30s who sent threatening voice messages to his former partner, breaching a protection order, has been given a two-month prison sentence, suspended for 12 months. Gardai informed Tallaght District Court that on August 9, 2023, the man sent threatening voice notes to the mother of his children, which put her in fear and violated a protection order issued on November 9, 2022. The defendant pleaded guilty to breaching the protection order under the Domestic Violence Act, 2018. Judge Liz Healy noted that a probation report on the defendant was not as positive as it could have been, raising concerns about his engagement with services and his views on intimate partner violence. The man explained that he missed appointments due to moving house and not receiving letters. Defence counsel, Ciara Ní Ghabhann BL, stated that her client did not intend to come across in that way and suggested the Probation Service may have misunderstood him. Judge Healy emphasized that engagement with services such as the MOVE Ireland programme could help address these issues.
Nathan Coakley, a member of the Hutch family, was further jailed for affray after throwing a lit bottle of flammable liquid at an apartment on the day of his brother's murder inquest. The court heard that Coakley was suffering from significant stress and post-traumatic stress due to ongoing threats from a family feud. The incident occurred on the day of the inquest into the murder of his brother, Derek Coakley Hutch. The bottle failed to ignite, and no one was injured. Coakley has 105 previous convictions and is currently serving a sentence for a drug offence. Judge Martin Nolan noted that Coakley had been involved in a verbal altercation and returned with the intent to damage property. He was chased from the scene by a man waving a saw and later encountered gardai. The judge considered Coakley's record and the circumstances, imposing a two-year and three-month sentence consecutive to his current term. Coakley has since addressed his drug misuse and is clean of drugs since 2024. Nathan Coakley pleaded guilty.
A District Court judge has refused jurisdiction in the case of a woman accused of having pepper spray and a hammer when she arrived at the home of a woman with whom she is alleged to have a dispute over a former boyfriend. Nadine Hess (39), from Johnstown Road, Cabinteely, Dublin 18, has pleaded not guilty to possessing pepper spray and a hammer, as well as engaging in threatening or abusive behaviour, at Fitzgerald Park, Monkstown, Co Dublin, on May 25, 2025. The court heard that Ms Hess arrived at Fitzgerald Park in a car with another woman, who is a co-accused in the case, despite neither living in the immediate area. Garda Lorraine Doyle told Judge Anne Watkin at Dún Laoghaire District Court that gardaí were alerted by an anonymous call over concerns about Ms Hess's presence outside the home of a woman she was in an alleged ongoing dispute with over a former boyfriend.
A son of multi-millionaire hotelier Noel O'Callaghan has submitted papers to the High Court, expressing deep regret over telling his father that if he had a gun, he would shoot him during a heated business dispute. The court has reserved its decision on whether the dispute between Mr O'Callaghan and his sons should proceed to arbitration. Paul O'Callaghan claims there has been a significant deterioration in his relationship with his father since August 2024, despite efforts to resolve the matter through mediation. He recounts an incident in September 2025, where, after a long and tense exchange, he made the comment in frustration. He later regretted the remark and reached a memorandum of understanding with his father, which the latter allegedly reneged on. The dispute stems from a 2016 agreement, under which Noel O'Callaghan stepped back from his hospitality business to focus on his bloodstock operations, leaving management to his sons. He claims he was promised an annual salary, credit card expenses covered, and control over Mountarmstrong stud, none of which materialised.
Dylan Fogarty, a former janitor at Temple Street Hospital, was jailed for 18 months after attempting to throw €3,355 worth of heroin and €90 worth of cannabis into Wheatfield Prison. Fogarty and another man were spotted by gardai on February 26, 2023, attempting to throw items over the prison wall. Fogarty tried to evade arrest and discarded copper pipes containing the drugs. The second man escaped and has not been apprehended. Fogarty pleaded guilty to possession of drugs and obstruction of a garda. He has 14 previous convictions, including five under the Misuse of Drugs Act. His defence argued that Fogarty developed a serious addiction while in prison and was asked to participate in the offence to reduce a drug debt. He also has significant mental health issues and suicidal ideation. His family was in court to support him, and his partner is due to give birth shortly. Judge Orla Crowe imposed a three-year sentence with the final 18 months suspended on strict conditions, including supervision by the Probation Service post-release.
A 19-year-old teenager pleaded guilty to being a passenger in a stolen car in Dublin almost two years ago. The defendant entered a guilty plea before Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, admitting to knowingly allowing himself to be carried in a vehicle without the owner's consent on July 17, 2024. Defence counsel Gerardine Small SC informed the court that a psychological report is being prepared. The defendant was remanded in custody, and Judge Orla Crowe directed the preparation of a victim impact statement. A sentence date was set for June when the full facts of the case will be given. The court has not yet determined the specifics of the case, and the defendant will be sentenced after further evidence is presented.
Piotr Doening, a 42-year-old man, was jailed for six years for burglary and possessing over €260,000 worth of drugs. Doening stole from his neighbour's home while she was on holiday, breaking into the house out of desperation after losing his job. The court heard that Doening had previously been caught with 37 cannabis plants, cannabis herb, and amphetamines at his home. Gardai obtained a warrant after aerial footage detected a high heat source in the attic, leading to the discovery of the drugs. Doening pleaded guilty to burglary, theft, and attempted theft. His neighbour discovered the break-in after receiving a notification that her Revolut card had been used. A large amount of property, including a television, sound system, jewellery, and €100 in cash, was stolen. Doening admitted to hiding most of the stolen property and returning everything but the cash. Judge Elma Sheahan noted that the burglary represented a breach of trust and acknowledged Doening's remorse and efforts to deal with his drug addiction.
A visually impaired woman described her panic during an incident of false imprisonment by a bogus taxi driver, stating her first thought was: "I guess this is just my turn." The defendant, Nicolae Zgherea (30), who has 11 previous convictions for road traffic offences, claimed he was unaware the victim was visually impaired. The court heard that the woman and her friend were waiting at a taxi rank when Zgherea approached, and the friend believed he was a legitimate driver. The woman entered his car, only to discover there was no taxi licence or meter. She asked Zgherea if he was a taxi driver, and when he confirmed he wasn't, she requested to be let out. Zgherea continued driving, and she called 999. The emergency operator asked him to pull over, which he eventually did. Zgherea pleaded guilty to false imprisonment. The court was told the incident had a significant impact on the woman's trust in others, independence, and confidence. She described the experience as terrifying and questioned whether she was targeted due to her disability or gender.
An actor who appeared on the crime drama series Love/Hate has been jailed for four years for a violent attempt to rob a café and for carrying out a later robbery of a convenience store while covered in blood. Leroy Harris (32) was stopped by gardaí and arrested for his own safety after being spotted in Dublin city with bloodstained hands. It was later discovered that he had just robbed a convenience store using a broken pint glass. Earlier that evening, Harris had attempted to rob a café by squeezing under the shutters and swinging a wine bottle at the owner, who managed to push him out. Harris pleaded guilty to the attempted robbery of the Flower and Bean Café and to the robbery of Day Today' convenience store. Garda Aidan Doyle stated that Harris told the café owner it was a robbery before swinging the bottle at him. The owner, who was with his wife and child at the time, was concerned for their safety and noted that Harris appeared intoxicated.
A care assistant described the moment she entered the home of her vulnerable and partially blind client to find him covered in blood and in the company of his brother, who told her he had "drained" his sibling. Gary O'Shaughnessy, 39, is charged with attempted murder and causing serious harm to his brother, Mark O'Shaughnessy, after an incident in May 2024. Two psychiatrists testified that Gary suffers from schizophrenia and fulfils the criteria for a special verdict of not guilty by reason of insanity. Care assistant Louise McGloin testified that she found Mark covered in blood and Gary sitting on a couch, claiming he had "drained" his brother. Paramedics found Mark in a critical state with a catastrophic haemorrhage from a neck injury. Gary told gardai that he had been drinking heavily, heard voices, and was influenced by hallucinations to kill his brother. Forensic psychiatrists testified that Gary was suffering from schizophrenia and did not know the nature and quality of his actions.
A judge has rejected a claim that ADHD caused a man to become so flustered when he lost his parking ticket that he attempted to tailgate another car to get through a barrier. Dean Carey (36) pleaded guilty to criminal damage to a barrier at Dundrum Town Centre, Dublin 14, on March 21 last. Sergeant Caoimhe Conroy told the court that Carey attempted to exit the car park by tailgating another vehicle, which resulted in damage to the barrier. Defence solicitor Patricia Camilon argued that Carey's ADHD caused him to become flustered and that he was under pressure as he was trying to get to his daughter's birthday. However, Judge Anne Watkin did not accept that ADHD explained the behaviour and said that becoming so flustered that a person behaves in this way raises concerns about judgment when driving. She rejected the explanation as a justification for attempting to leave the car park without paying. The judge fined Carey €400 with six months to pay and adjourned the case to April 28 next.
The chief executive of an Irish cybersecurity firm, Edgescan, has described a former employee's claims about a supplier having links to Israeli military intelligence as 'James Bond stuff' and expressed concern that other staff might feel uncomfortable due to the presence of an 'anti-semite' in the company. Edgescan CEO Eoin Keary told the Workplace Relations Commission that the employee, Cian Ó Laoi, was an 'insider threat' despite the firm reporting no data breach. Ó Laoi, who is pursuing claims of whistleblower penalisation and constructive dismissal, denied that his remarks were inappropriate. He raised concerns about supply chain risks, citing a 'revolving door' between the Israeli tech sector and military intelligence. In an internal email, Ó Laoi stated that DoIT, an Israeli company, had full admin access to Edgescan's AWS account for over a year and suspected 'social engineering' was at play. He also expressed objections to the firm doing business with an Israeli firm due to its alleged involvement in the 'genocide of Palestinians'.
The High Court is hearing a motion on whether the case of businessman and hotelier Noel O'Callaghan, who claims that his sons excluded him from retaking control of his business, should go to arbitration. O'Callaghan (75) stepped back from the hospitality business he built over 40 years in 2016. He claims that his sons Paul and Charles O'Callaghan, Saira Company Dublin, and subsidiary company Sherborough Development Company, have attempted to exercise control over his bloodstock business without his consent. He alleges that there was a failure to disclose that KBC was negotiating the surrender of its lease on the Archers Building, which was sold for €16.6m, constituting an alleged material non-disclosure and secret profit. O'Callaghan claims that the 2024 arbitration clause is not operative and of no legal effect as he was never told of its existence and had been misled by his sons. The arbitration motion was brought by the defendants, which they say is facilitated by a clause in the 2024 agreement. The hearing continues tomorrow in front of Mr Justice Rory Mulcahy.
A now 28-year-old man who sexually assaulted a teenage girl during a sleepover has been jailed for four years and three months. The man, who cannot be named to protect the identity of the victim, sexually assaulted the then 14-year-old by intimately touching her when she was having a sleepover at a friend's home where he was subletting a room. The defendant, who was then 26 years old, was the only adult in the house at the time and provided alcohol to some of the girls. He was extradited to Ireland after fleeing to Romania. Detective Garda Rebecca Doyle told the court that one of the girls was sick, and two of the victim's friends were taking care of her in an upstairs bathroom, leaving the victim alone with the defendant in a bedroom. The defendant sexually molested the victim, and her friends came in to get her away from him. The victim immediately told her friends what had happened. The defendant denied any sexual contact and told gardai that the girls were making it all up.
Stephen Crosbie (44) was jailed for five and a half years after attacking a fellow homeless services user with a knife and hatchet during an incident of 'harrowing violence' in Peter McVerry House in Dublin last year. The victim suffered severe injuries, including a laceration to his head and a punctured kidney. Staff members tried to de-escalate the situation, but Crosbie threatened them as well. When armed gardai arrived, they found blood spatters along the corridor. The victim required emergency surgery. Crosbie had 120 previous convictions and was on bail for another offence at the time of the attack. Judge Orla Crowe described the attack as 'deeply serious, brutal' and noted the 45-minute incident of brutality. She reduced the headline sentence of nine years to six years, taking into account mitigating factors, including Crosbie's early guilty pleas. The court heard the dispute started when the victim repaid Crosbie €100 from a €200 debt, leading to the attack.
A 39-year-old man, who has pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity to the attempted murder of his vulnerable brother, told gardai that he tried to kill his sibling with a hammer and by slitting his neck and wrists, a Central Criminal Court jury has heard. Gary O'Shaughnessy is charged with the attempted murder of his brother Mark O'Shaughnessy (42) at the same address between May 15 and 16, 2024. The brothers were living at Ailesbury House at the time. He is further charged with intentionally or recklessly causing serious harm to his brother on the same date and at the same location. Mr O'Shaughnessy has pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity to both charges. Opening the prosecution's case, Ronan Kennedy SC said there is no dispute that the accused attempted to kill and cause serious harm to his brother by stabbing him and striking him on the head with a hammer. Counsel said the case will centre on the mental state of the accused.
A man has applied to have his case declared a miscarriage of justice after the Court of Appeal quashed his conviction for the sexual assault of an asylum seeker he had met through an Islamic centre. The court overturned the now 59-year-old's conviction in 2023 after the man's legal team successfully argued it was unsafe. His defence relied on internet searches relating to sexual matters that were extracted using new software from the complainant's phone after the trial had concluded. They said that if the jury had known of those searches, it would have undermined her claim that she was a virgin and knew nothing of sexual matters prior to meeting the man. The man had pleaded not guilty to a sexual assault alleged to have occurred on December 1st, 2017, in Co Dublin. He was convicted by a Central Criminal Court jury in April 2021 and sentenced to five and a half years in prison.
A video editor at RTÉ has lost a €360,000 employment rights claim after a ruling that she failed to establish in evidence that she was an employee during the relevant period. Maebh Keary di Lucia claimed she was misclassified as a contractor when she started shifts in 2004 to 2011, which led to her being denied pay-related statutory entitlements and a long-service allowance. She pointed to determinations by the Department of Social Protection, the Social Welfare Appeals Office, and the Revenue Commissioners that she had been an employee prior to receiving a contract of employment in 2011. RTÉ's lawyers said the WRC had no jurisdiction to rule on the case due to time limits in the Workplace Relations Act. Ms Keary di Lucia said she was being denied her rights under EU directives. The LRC decided it had no jurisdiction, and she said she became very stressed and her hair began to fall out.